It’s officially spring, but that doesn’t mean ski season is over. We’ve still got weeks to go in many areas around the country, and there are plenty of ski bums in this world who prefer the spring energy over any other time of year. Goggle tans, après drinks, parties, corn snow, pond skims, and so much more make the end of the season one of the best times to be on the mountain. These are our 6 favorite destinations for spring skiing in no particular order.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine
Maine’s largest ski resort is a hub for spring skiing energy, with slushy mogul runs, sunny drinks at Bullwinkle’s, and plenty of late season events to keep the party going. Sugarloaf is celebrating spring with the Spring DJ Series every Saturday until April 4th.
The resort’s 15th Annual Sugarloaf Banked Slalom was this past weekend, but the East Coast Pond Skim Championship is still coming later this spring. The real highlight of spring for Sugarloaf is the 38th annual Reggae Festival, hosted between April 10th and 12th. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on that party.
Palisades Tahoe, California
Palisades Tahoe really kicked off spring this past weekend with the Pain McShlonkey Classic, honoring the late, great Shane McConkey, with a Hot Dog Downhill, live DJ, and much more.
That only marked the start of spring for this California resort. Palisades has events scheduled deep into the spring, including the epic Rahlves’ Banzai Tour and plenty of après spots and bars to keep the party going.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming
If you’re looking to nail your spring break, Jackson Hole is the place to do it. Every Saturday throughout March, bands have been performing in the Road to Rendezvous concert series, leading up to the iconic Rendezvous Music Festival set for this Saturday, March 28th.
The Wyoming resort continues to see plentiful snow through the end of their season and the après scene at the Tram Dock is hard to beat. Après Happy Hour, running from 2-6pm, features top notch deals like $2 off draft beers, $6 shots, $6 margs, and more depending on which day you show up.
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
If you’re looking to ski while taking your goggle tan to the max, spring at Arapahoe Basin is the place to do it. Unfortunately, given the lack of snow and warm weather that’s hit Colorado this season, much of Arapahoe Basin’s steepest terrain is already closed. That said, there are plenty of food and drink options spread around the mountain, and some serious high altitude, A-Basin is a top spot to enjoy the spring weather.
Plenty of events go on throughout the spring, including Flavorbasin, Gay Basin, and the Festival of the Brewpubs, but it feels like a party no matter what day you’re there. The parking lot will certainly be filled with people grilling and enjoying the sun, and once Lake Reveal reveals itself, an unofficial pond skim like no other goes down.
Killington, Vermont
Release your spring beast at Killington, shredding some of the most iconic spring bumps that the Northeast has to offer. Killington’s Spring Pass is available for those who want to get out as much as possible in the warmer weather, and their season will run as late as they can keep it going. Of course it wouldn’t be a great spring destination without some great spring events.
Killington’s highly anticipated Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge is set to go down on April 4th, and their annual pond skim, which is already sold out, is scheduled for April 11th. That’s nowhere near all they have to offer, with their annual spring Dazed and Defrosted music festival bringing the party, and much more.
Mammoth Mountain, California
Nobody does the spring ski party quite like Mammoth Mountain. Parties and events are scheduled on-mountain for the next few months, with weekend après parties set to go down all April. There’s a pond skim, Honky Tonk on the Hill, parties in the terrain park, constant weekend après parties, and so much more. All of this under the gorgeous California sun.
The resort caps off their season of celebrations with the Mammoth Yacht Club, bringing a bit of the ocean into the mountains. Throughout Memorial Day Weekend, skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to toss on some seaworthy clothing, enjoy some live music, take part in giveaways, and party the ski season away. Go get those beach tans in!
